Chair

Scientific Research
Risa C. Rahm, PharmD
2304 Killearn Center Blvd. Suite B
Tallahassee, FL  32308
Risa.Rahm@blueicenavigation.com

The scientific research advisory committee includes a representative from each patient safety center or other patient safety program in the universities of the state who are physicians licensed pursuant to chapter 458 or chapter 459, with experience in patient safety and evidence-based medicine. The duties of this advisory committee are to analyze existing data and research to improve patient safety and to encourage evidence-based medicine.

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is one of the important initiatives for which the FPSC has been assigned a leadership role. EBM has been defined as “the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients” (Sackett et al., 1996).

Until now there has been no entity through which all health care stakeholders could unite to clarify complex EBM issues. Florida’s legislators, by establishing the FPSC, have created an opportunity to organize EBM in Florida so that it can be most effectively used to benefit patients. The FPSC has been charged to “provide for access to an active library of evidence-based medicine and patient safety practices, together with the emerging evidence supporting their retention or modification, and make this information available to health care practitioners, health care facilities and the public” (HB 1629, Section 18). The establishment of a library is a substantial undertaking that requires significant planning, resources and expertise. There are also barriers to implementation of EBM and therefore, a library should be considered as only one key strategy in facilitating access to EBM and its widespread implementation.

The Scientific Research Advisory Committee was established to oversee the creation and implementation of the EBM Initiative. Their planned approach is outlined in the following reports:

Evidence Based Medicine Report (January 2005)

This report provides an overview of EBM, the legislative mandates set for the FPSC and the anticipated process the FPSC will take in addressing this initiative. In addition to the review of current EBM initiatives, it includes a list of some of the issues to be addressed, a plan of approach by the Scientific Research Advisory Committee and an estimate of the resources required to complete this important project.

Evidence Based Medicine Report (September 2005)
A Final Draft to the Governor, the Florida Legislature and the Agency for Healthcare Administration